Write angle instruments

ABSTRACT

Hand-held instruments comprising a grip section which is held in the fingers, and a working section which holds a tool that contacts a workpiece, in which the longitudinal axis of the grip section varies from the longitudinal axis of the working section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention most directly concerns writing instruments such aspens and similarly held instruments. More broadly, the invention relatesto any instrument which is held in a fashion similar to that of a pen orother writing instrument, such as a stylus, electronic pen, pencil,engraving tool, scalpel or dentist's drill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Writers hold a pen or similar instrument in a number of variedpositions for comfort. Many other instruments are held similarly:electronic pointers or pens, engraving tools, dentist's drills andpencils are all examples. Writers, for example, can change the positionof the pen or pencil within their grip during writing. Some writers whohold the pen above or below the line they are writing on are describedas “overwriters” or “underwriters” respectively.

[0003] Broadly speaking, instruments such as a pen or pencil can beregarded as comprising a grip section (where the user's fingers grip theinstrument) and a working section (that is, the portion of theinstrument that actually holds the tool, be it a pen mechanism orcartridge, a drill bit, or any other tool) that contacts the workpieceto which the instrument is to be applied. The orientation of the gripsection used can determine the position of the working section relativeto the hand. The position of the wrist or hand may need to be furtheraltered to write effectively, or, in the case of another instrument, toperform the function of that instrument effectively. This positionalchange can sometimes cause discomfort or negatively affect the functionof the pen or instrument.

[0004] A number of different designs for pens, accessory grips and otherwriting instruments have been suggested. In the simplest sort ofdesign—a common straight pencil—the longitudinal axis of the gripsection and the longitudinal axis of the working section arecoincidental. Other designs may have been impractical or difficult tomanufacture. No prior designs, however, were intended to alter the anglebetween the longitudinal axis of the grip section of the instrument andthe longitudinal axis of the working section of the instrument.

[0005] Definition of Terms

[0006] The following terms are used in the description of my invention,and are intended to have their broadest equivalent meaning consistentwith the requirements of law.

[0007] An “instrument” includes any implement that is ordinarily held inthe hand similarly to the way in which one ordinarily holds a pen orpencil.

[0008] The “grip section” means that portion of an instrument that isheld in the user's fingers during use of the instrument.

[0009] The “working section” means that portion of an instrument thatactually holds or comprises the tool (be it a pen mechanism orcartridge, a drill bit, or any other tool) that contacts the piece ofpaper or other workpiece to which the instrument is to be applied.

[0010] The “write angle” of an instrument refers to the minor anglebetween the longitudinal axis of the grip section of an instrument andthe longitudinal axis of the working section of an instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] I have found that in the case of a pen or pencil orsimilarly-held instrument, changing the write angle permits the user toadopt a new hand or wrist position which can lead to increased comfort,especially for those who may need to write for long periods of time,while maintaining good function and position of the pen relative to thewriting surface. Using an altered, nonzero write angle allows for a morenatural radial deviation of the wrist while writing or using theinstrument and an improved grip of the instrument. Because the writer'sgrip is improved, it allows the grip effort necessary to hold theinstrument to be reduced by the writer, the overall result beingincreased comfort.

[0012] In addition to providing comfort, such a more-ergonomicpositioning and holding of the instrument is expected to result in areduced incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and other afflictions of theupper extremity resulting from repetitive stress disorder. As theseconcerns become more and more prevalent, the usefulness and utility ofthe present invention is clear.

[0013] The preferred embodiment of the invention is described below interms of a pen. It can readily be seen, however, that the inventionapplies to any instrument which is held in a similar manner, including apencil, stylus, electronic pen, engraving tool, scalpel or dentist'sdrill, as examples. In addition, the invention applies to an accessorygrip which may be used to convert a pre-existing pen (for example) toone incorporating the invention. The invention is therefore not limitedto pens, but covers any instrument held like a pen and having a gripsection in which the longitudinal axis of the grip section of theinstrument varies from the longitudinal axis of the working section.This can be accomplished by fabricating a grip section integrally withthe working section, or by adding an accessory grip section having alongitudinal axis which varies from the longitudinal axis of the workingsection.

[0014] The basic design of a pen incorporating the invention is that ofa grip section and a working section. The working section preferablypasses through or is situated adjacent to or distally from the gripsection, and the grip section and the working section are preferablyattached to each other.

[0015] The grip section can be of any type or shape. The grip sectionmay be radially symmetric or asymmetric about its longitudinal axis. Thegrip section may be regularly or irregularly shaped along its length.The grip section may be made of a material to allow for tactile comfort(such as a cushioned material). The grip section may be contoured forease in gripping, or for identification of the thumb location in thepreferred grip. Further, although the grip section described in thepreferred embodiment is integral, the grip section may also betemporarily or permanently attached, or be physically combined with theworking section depending on the actual design of the instrument. Thegrip section may also allow for rotation or axial movement between thegrip section and the working section. Further, the grip and workingsections may allow for full movement between the grip section and theworking section, such as the case where in addition the write angleitself is adjustable. It is anticipated that the grip section normallyshould be at least temporarily fastened to the working section whileusing the instrument.

[0016] The working section itself need not be of any special type. Theworking section of a pen such as a ball-point, felt-tip or roller-ballpen is typically straight. To some extent this is dictated by thecartridge inside, and mandated by maintaining good ink flow to a rollerball or other ink pen. Likewise, pencils are typically straight. If thecartridge is straight and not flexible, the working section willgenerally be straight also. A straight cartridge typically will providegood ink flow, and may be preferable for that reason. However, a bent,curved, angled or shaped working section is also within thecontemplation of this invention if the grip section is designed to allowfor a change in the write angle.

[0017] In the simplest version of the invention, the longitudinal axisof the grip section is determined by examining the outer surface of thegrip section, and the longitudinal axis of the working section isdetermined by examining the outer surface of the working section anddetermining the central axis of rotation of each surface. If thesections are not straight or symmetric the write angle can still bedetermined from the overall or intended axes of use for both the workingsection and the grip section. The write angle used in the preferredembodiment is approximately four degrees, but any nonzero angle may beused and is contemplated by the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows the positions of the human hand.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a write angle pen.

[0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 show varying degrees of the write angle for a writeangle pen.

[0021]FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show write angle pens incorporating exemplaryalternative designs for the grip section of a write angle pen.

[0022]FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show write angle pens incorporating alternativedesigns for the working section of a write angle pen.

[0023]FIG. 11 shows an accessory grip which may be used in practicingthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Although the preferred embodiment is directed to pens, theinvention may be readily applied to an instrument of any manufacture ortype, so long as the gripping method used for the instrument is similarto that used to hold a pen or pencil. The invention, is not, therefore,limited to pens. For ease of understanding the invention, however, thepreferred embodiment is described with respect to a pen. It may readilybe seen that the invention is equally applicable to other instruments.Such instruments include dentist's drills, engraving tools, pencils,scalpels and any similarly manipulated instrument or tool.

[0025] In addition, while pens are typically of relatively straightdesign and manufacture, due to the constraints of the cartridge asdiscussed above, such is not always the case. A bent, curved, angled orshaped working section or grip section may be used if the instrument isdesigned to allow for a change in the write angle.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows the human hand in various positions, demonstratingradial and ulnar deviation (FIGS. 1a and 1 b), as well as pronation andsupination (FIGS. 1c and 1 d). Many types of deviations may beaccomplished or reduced using the invention to increase the comfort andefficiency of the hand grip.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a write angle pen with an integral, permanentlyattached grip section. The grip section 101 is affixed to the workingsection 103 such that the longitudinal axis 104 of the working section103 and the longitudinal axis 105 of the grip section 101 form a writeangle 106 of approximately 4 degrees. In this embodiment, the workingsection is substantially straight, similar to any number of popularball-point or roller-ball pens. Although approximately four degrees isconsidered optimal in this preferred embodiment, the invention may bepracticed with any angular displacement which suitably produces theintended results of the invention. For instance, the write angle may beany deviation up to about 45 degrees.

[0028] In one use of the write angle pen, the grip section is held sothe thumb of the writer is near or adjacent to thumb point 100 on thegrip section. In a commercial embodiment of the pen, this location mayhave a mark or a slight detent or indentation to indicate where thethumb may be placed. The opposite end of the working section, therefore,generally points further toward the radial side of the hand and thewriting end of the working section therefore points further towards theulnar side of the hand. This may be different if the working section isbent or curved or angled in some fashion, or the user holds the pen inan unanticipated position.

[0029] As a result of introducing a write angle between the grip sectionand the working section, the wrist assumes a position of more supinationand comfort in writing. Because the wrist is more supinated the ulnarside of the hand is permitted to rest against the writing surface and soassume a more comfortable supinated and radial oriented position toincrease the grip comfort. By grasping the grip section some writerschange the position of their hand in space while keeping the workingsection's orientation similar to what it might be if the write anglewere zero degrees. Other writers may also use the write angle toreposition the working section itself for improved function of theinstrument. Both of these effects may be combined by the user of the penwhile writing.

[0030] It should be recognized that there are a great number ofpositions that an individual could use for writing with the invention,and that the invention is not limited to a specific or preferred handgrip.

[0031]FIG. 3 shows such a write angle pen with an integral, permanentlyattached grip section wherein the grip section 107 is affixed to theworking section 109 such that the longitudinal axis 110 of the workingsection 109 and the longitudinal axis 111 of the grip section 107 form awrite angle 112 of approximately ten degrees, permitting a greaterdeviation in the hand position with respect to the position of theworking section 109 of the write angle pen.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows another such write angle pen with an integral,permanently attached grip section wherein the grip section 113 isaffixed to the working section 115 such that the longitudinal axis 116of the working section 115 and the longitudinal axis 117 of the gripsection 113 form a write angle 118 of approximately forty-five degrees,permitting still greater deviation in the hand position with respect tothe position of the working section 115 of the write angle pen.

[0033] An alternate embodiment would include a write angle pen which isadjustable over a given range of angular displacements, for example, oneto 15 degrees.

[0034] Further alternative embodiments can include variations on theshape of the grip section, as described below.

[0035]FIG. 5 shows a write angle pen with a triangular shaped gripsection 119 with longitudinal axis 120 permanently attached to theworking section 122 with longitudinal axis 123, and write angle 124.

[0036]FIG. 6 shows a write angle pen with an elliptically curved gripsection 125 with longitudinal axis 126 permanently attached to theworking section 128 with longitudinal axis 129 and write angle 130.

[0037]FIG. 7 shows a write angle pen with a custom-shape grip section131 with longitudinal axis 132 permanently attached to the workingsection 134 with longitudinal axis 135 and write angle 136.

[0038] It may readily be seen that a great variety of shapes orsubstances may be used in forming the grip section of the pen, includingboth those shown and others, so long as the angle between thelongitudinal axis of grip section and the longitudinal axis of theworking section is greater than zero.

[0039] In addition to variations in the grip sections themselves, theinvention may be used with variations from the substantially straightworking section of the previous figures.

[0040]FIG. 8 shows a write angle pen with a bent working section 137 anda permanently attached grip section 138.

[0041]FIG. 9 shows a write angle pen with a curved working section 139and a permanently attached grip section 140.

[0042]FIG. 10 shows a write angle pen with a shaped working section 141and a permanently attached grip section 142.

[0043]FIG. 11 shows a write angle pen using an accessory grip 143, inwhich the accessory grip comprises a sleeve that surrounds the workingsection 144 of an instrument. The interior longitudinal axis 145 of theaccessory grip deviates from the exterior longitudinal axis 146 of theaccessory grip, so that when the grip is affixed to the working section144 of the instrument, an nonzero write angle 147 is formed between theexterior longitudinal axis 146 of the accessory grip 143 and thelongitudinal axis 148 of the working section of the instrument. Whilethere are a number of possible methods to permit use of the accessorygrip with an instrument, FIG. 11 shows an accessory grip with a slot 149which permits the accessory grip to snap onto the working section 144 ofthe instrument.

[0044] It is readily apparent that any combination of alternate workingsection, or grip section is possible, and such combinations arecontemplated by the invention so long as the write angle is greater thanzero:

[0045] It also should be recognized that variants on the preferred handposition may be used. A great variety of different positions may be usedwith the write angle grip in order to allow the user to attain whateverposition is most comfortable, functional and ergonomic for thatparticular user. By grasping the grip section differently, some usersmay choose to change the position of their hand in space whilemaintaining the working section's original orientation. Alternatively,the grip section may be used to reposition the working section itselffor improved function.

[0046] It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatmany changes and modifications could be made while remaining within thescope of my invention, including the aforementioned use of the inventionwith a variety of instruments. I intend to cover all such equivalentprocessing methods, and to limit my invention only as specificallydelineated in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An instrument having a grip section defining a firstlongitudinal axis, a working section defining a second longitudinal axisand a write angle which is greater than zero between said first andsecond longitudinal axes, whereby said instrument permits a more naturaland less tiring radial deviation of the wrist while using theinstrument.
 2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said write angle isless than about 45 degrees.
 3. The instrument of claim 1 wherein saidwrite angle is less than about 10 degrees.
 4. The instrument of claim 1wherein said write angle is less than about 4 degrees.
 5. The instrumentof claim 1 wherein said working section is substantially straight. 6.The instrument of claim 1 wherein said working section is bent, wherebythe orientation of said working section depends on both the write angleand the bend of said working section.
 7. The instrument of claim 1wherein said working section is curved, whereby the orientation of saidworking section depends on both the write angle and the curvature ofsaid working section.
 8. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said workingsection is shaped so that the orientation of said working sectiondepends on both the write angle and the shape of said working section.9. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said instrument further comprises apen.
 10. An accessory grip for an instrument, said instrument having aworking section defining a first longitudinal axis, and said accessorygrip having an exterior longitudinal axis and being attachable to saidworking section to form a write angle which is greater than zero betweensaid first longitudinal axis and said exterior longitudinal axis,whereby said instrument permits a more natural and less tiring radialdeviation of the wrist while using the instrument.
 11. The accessorygrip of claim 10 wherein said write angle is less than about 45 degrees.12. The accessory grip of claim 10 wherein said write angle is greaterthan zero but less than about 10 degrees.
 13. The accessory grip ofclaim 10 wherein said write angle is less than about 4 degrees.
 14. Theaccessory grip of claim 10 wherein said working section is substantiallystraight.
 15. The accessory grip of claim 10 wherein said workingsection that is bent.
 16. The accessory grip of claim 10 wherein saidworking section is curved.
 17. The accessory grip of claim 10 whereinsaid working section is shaped.
 18. The accessory grip of claim 10wherein said instrument further comprises a pen.